Writing guide



M. J. MICHEL WRITING GUIDE June 4, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 18, 1965 Maurice J Michel INVENTOR.

J1me 1958 I I M. J. MICHEL 3,386,191

WRITING GUIDE Filed Nov. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Maurice J. Michel INVENTOR'.

Y QM United States Patent 3,386,191 WRITING GUIDE Maurice J. Michel, 5973 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70119 Filed Nov. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 508,526 8 Claims. (Cl. 35-38) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A writing aid for the handicapped and the blind in particular including a writing board having a carrier movable vertically therealong through a gear and rack arrangement whereby a movement of a control lever advances the carrier a predetermined amount down the board. The carrier in turn mounts a horizontally extending track means upon which a hand support slides. The hand support includes a writing implement holder which receives and mounts a writing implement for access thereto by the hand on the hand support.

This invention relates generally to writing guides, and more specifically to a portable writing aid device particularly adapted to allow the infirm and particularly the blind to write script with ease and facility.

Briefly, this invention comprises a board having means for holding writing paper thereon, a gear track extending longitudinally along one side of the board with a ratchet assembly slidable thereover. The ratchet assembly has connected thereto a writing guide assembly and is adapted, when activated, to move the writing guide assembly downwardly over the paper in equal spaced steps. The writing guide assembly includes a transversely slidable handrest and writing implement holder whereby the user of the device, whether able to see or not, and whether having full use of his hands or not, will be capable of writing across the paper in a straight line, stopping prior to the end of the paper and properly spacing subsequent lines longitudinally down the paper.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a writing aid for blind persons which will guide the hands in a straight line across the paper, as well as properly spacing each line of script and preventing writing off the right-hand edge of the paper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a writing aid device for use by the blind or the otherwise infirm for guiding a writing implement both across the paper and for automatically spacing subsequent lines horizontally and equally down the paper, the lines being parallel.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a writing guide which includes means for holding a writing implement for ready guidance across a Writing surface, means for resting the hand during such writing and means for automatically moving the above means in equally spaced steps down the writing surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a writing guide of the character described which is simple and inexpensive of construction, while at the same time being quite sturdy and troublefree in operation, and which can be constructed of readily available material.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a writing aid for the blind or infirm which is extremely simple to use, making it possible for those not having use of their eyes or full use of their hands to quickly and easily handwrite in neatly spaced, accurately positioned fashion.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accom- 3,386,191 Patented June 4, 1968 panying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the writing guide device comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of some of the elements comprising a portion of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 55 of FIG URE l; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the handrest and pen holder which comprises a portion of the present invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally denotes the writing guide or aid device comprising the present invention. The writing aid 10 includes a generally rectangular writing board 12 having parallel sides 14 and 16 as well as parallel top and bottom edges 18 and 20. The writing board 12 has a conventional spring clip 22 mounted adjacent the upper end thereof by the screws 24, the spring clip being provided in order to retain writing paper 26 on the surface of the writing board 12 as is customary in clipboards or other conventional portable desk-type devices.

The writing board 12 includes a guide channel generally denoted by reference numeral 28 extending longitudinally thereof adjacent and parallel to the side edge 14, the guide channel 28 constituting a generally crossshaped channel including horizontally disposed leg portions 30 and 32 and vertically disposed leg portions 34 and 36. Further, a rack gear 38 is disposed in the board 12 adjacent the guide channel leg 34, the rack gear 38 being provided for a purpose to be explained more fully below.

A writing guide carrier generally denoted by reference numeral 40 and including the horizontally disposed legs 42 and 44 as well as the vertically disposed leg 46 having the hinge member 48 at the upper end thereof is normally slidably mounted in the guide channel 28. The writing guide carrier 40 is mounted for sliding movement longitudinally through the guide channel 28 with the horizontally disposed legs 42 and 44 in the horizontal leg portions 30 and 32 of the guide channel 28, and the vertically disposed leg 46 extending upwardly through the vertical legs 34 of the guide channel 28, the hinge members 48 extending above the top plane of the writing board 12 as best illustrated in FIGURE 1.

A writing guide assembly generally denoted by referenoe numeral 50 and comprising a channel member 52 which is substantially box-like in cross section and has an elongate slot 53 in the upper surface thereof and a pair of hinge members 54 at one end thereof is mounted on the vertical leg 46 of the writing guide carrier 40 by a hinge pin 56 which extends through the hinge members 54 and 48 for rotatably mounting the writing guide assembly on the writing guide carrier. Thus, it will be appreciated from viewing FIGURE 1 in particular, that the channel member 52 is disposed transversely across the writing board 12 and substantially perpendicularly to the line of travel of the writing guide carrier 40; that is, to the guide channel 28. Thus, it will be observed that as the writing guide carrier is moved longitudinally along the board 12 through the guide channel 28, it will carry the channel member 52 therewith. Further, it will be observed that the hinge connection between the channel member 52 and the writing guide carrier 40 will allow the channel member to be rotated upwardly off of the paper 26 when it is desired to change the paper.

A handrest member generally denoted by reference numeral 58 and including the handrest plate portion 60 is slidably mounted in the channel member 52. The handrest member 58 is slidably mounted in the channel member 52 by means of an adapter portion generally denoted by reference numeral 62 which, by viewing FIGURES and 6 in particular, will be observed as underlying the handrest portion 60 and including a downturned leg 64 having the forwardly projecting foot 66 and rearwardly projecting feet 68 and '70 extending at right angles therefrom. Thus, by viewing FIGURE 5 in particular, it will be appreciated that the channel unember 52 has a chamber '72 therein in which the feet 66, 68 and 70 are maintained, with the leg portion 64 of the adapter 62 extending upwardly through the slot 53, the handrcst member 58 thus being movable along the channel member 52 transversely across the writing board 12. The handrest member 58 further includes a pair of ears 74 and 76 struck upwardly therefrom, the ears '74 and 76 being disposed at approximately .a 45 degree angle to the handrest portion 60. A writing implement holder generally denoted by reference numeral 78 and comprising a relatively inflexible wire member having a coiled implement receiving portion 80 and legs 82 and 84 extending therefrom to the ears 74 and 76 respectively is mounted on the handrest member 5S.The coiled implement receiving portion 80 will receive a writing implement such as the pencil 86 therein whereby the user of the device, whether normal, blind or otherwise infirm may grasp the pencil in his fingers, with his hand resting on the handrest portion 60 and thus write in a substantially straight line across the paper 26, the handrest member 53 moving through the channel member 52 and being stopped by the closed end of the channel member 52 to prevent the user from writing off the right edge of the paper.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 3 and 4, a means for moving the writing guide assembly 50 downwardly over the writing board 12 and hence over the paper 26 in equal spaced apart steps is provided and constitutes the ratchet assembly generally denoted by reference numeral 88. The ratchet assembly 88 includes a base portion 90 having the hinge members 92 thereon whereby the base 90 may be mounted on the writing guide carrier 40 by means of the hinge pin 56. Mounted on the base 90 is a body member 94 including the upstanding side walls 96 and 98 and bottom wall 99. A spacing lever housing 100 is rotatably mounted in the body 94 between the side walls 96 and 98 by the bolt 102 which extends between the side Walls 96 and 98 and is retained therein in a suitable manner. The spacing lever housing 100 has an enlarged spacing lever 104 integrally formed at the upper end thereof for rotating the housing 100 in the body member 94. Further, a fixed arm 106 extends from the side wall 96 0f the body member 94, and a coil spring 107 is mounted between the spacing lever housing 100 and the fixed ar-m 106 whereby the spacing lever housing 100 will normally be biased into position illustrated in full lines in FIGURE 4. However, it will be appreciated by viewing FIGURE 4, and especially the lines in ghost therein, that when the spacing lever 104 is moved downwardly and thus carrying the spacing lever housing 100 rotatably therewith, the spring 107 will operate to bias the housing 100 back to the position shown in full lines when the lever 104 is released.

Also mounted between the side walls 96 and 98 of the body member 94 on the bolt 102 is a pinion gear 108. The gear 108 is rotatable on the bolt 102 and, as best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, is normally in engagement with the rack gear 38 through the opening 110 in the bottom wall 99 and base 90'. The spacing lever housing 100 has mounted on the back wall thereof an actuator arm 112 which is normally in engagement with the pinion gear 103 as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. Hence, when the spacing lever 104 is moved manually downwardly to the position illustrated in ghost in FIG- URE 4, the actuator arm 112 will cause the pinion gear 4 108 to turn a predetermined amount and hence the entire ratchet assembly $8 will be moved over the writing board 12 in the. direction indicated by direction arrow 114. Further, as stated above, when the lever 104 is released, the spring 107 will cause the housing 100 to rotate back to the position shown in lines in full, and a locking end 116 on the spacing lever housing 100 will engage in the rack gear 38 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 in order to retain or look the ratchet assembly in place until the spacing lever 104 is again actuated. Thus, inasmuch as the base portion of the ratchet assembly 88 is connected to the writing guide carrier, when the ratchet assembly 88 is moved along the rack gear 38 as described above, the writing guide assembly 50 will be carried therewith also. In this manner, the user of the device may move the channel member 52 down over the writing board 12 and paper 26 in equal steps to ensure that the lines of writing on the paper 26 will be equally spaced and parallel.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that a pair of end closure boards 118 and 120 are removably fastened as by screws 12 2 on the upper and lower edges 18 and 20 of the writing board in order to prevent the writing guide carrier 40 from being removed from the guide channel 28, as for example, when the ratchet assembly 88 has been moved downwardly to the bottom of the writing board. Thus, it will be apparent in view of the foregoing description that the writing aid 10 will allow 'a user, whether blind or otherwise infirm to handwrite in straight lines across the paper 26, the Writing being stopped at the righthand edge of the paper. When the righthand edge is reached, the user will then slide the handrest 58 back through the channel member 52 to the lefthand portion of the paper and then push the spacing lever 104 downwardly, thereby carrying the channel member downwardly over the paper 26. At this time, the device will then be set for the writer to write another line across the paper 26, this line being a predetermined distance downwardly from the previous line and horizontal therewith. It will be appreciated, of course, that the length of the actuator arm will determine the amount of throw imparted to the pinion gear 108 when the spacing lever 104 is depressed. Thus, merely by changing the length of the actuator arm, the spacing between the lines may be changed, or the operator may be able to double space by" depressing the spacing lever 104 twice before writing a subsequent line. Further, when the ratchet assembly has reached the bottom of the board, it may be manually moved back to the top thereof by swinging the actuator arm 112 upwardly out of engagement with the gear 108 and pivoting the lever housing so that the locking end 116 is moved out of engagement with the rack 36. At this time, the ratchet assembly may be slid upwardly along the board.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A writing aid comprising, body means having a substantially flat writing surface thereon, carrier means mounted on said body means for longitudinal sliding movement thereon, track means carried by said carrier means, said track means extending transversely across said .writing surface and substantially perpendicularly to the line of travel of said carrier means, means slid'ably mounted on said track means for supporting a users hand and a writing implement in writing position as the user writes across the writing surface, means on said carrier means for moving said carrier means longitudinally down said writing surface in equally spaced steps, and a rack gear on said body means, said rack gear extending longitudinally of said body means, said moving means comprising, gear means rotatably mounted on said carrier means, said gear means contacting said rack gear, and means for rotating said gear means whereby said gear means and hence said carrier means will be moved longitudinally along said rack gear.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said body means includes a guide channel therein substantially parallel to and adjacent said rack gear, said carrier means slidably mounted in said guide channel.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a writing implement holder, said holder comprising a writing implement receiving and mounting portion, and elongated leg means mounting said portion on the supporting means for slidable movement therewith along said track means.

4. A writing aid comprising, body means having a substantially fiat writing surface thereon, carrier means mounted on said body means for longitudinal sliding movement thereon, track means carried by said carrier means, said track means extending transversely across said writing surface and substantially perpendicularly to the line of travel of said carrier means, means slidably mounted on said track means for supporting a users hand and a writing implement in writing position as the user writes across the writing surface, and means on said carrier means for moving said carrier means longitudinally down said writing surface in equally spaced steps, said supporting means comprising, a handrest member having a generally flat hand supporting surface thereon and a depending leg, said leg slidably mounted in said track means, a generally cylindrical writing implement holder having generally flexible legs attached to said handrest member and adapted to receive a writing implement therein, said holder extending outwardly of said hand supporting surface whereby a user of the writing aid can grasp the implement for writing with his hand on the hand supporting surface.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said moving means comprises a ratchet assembly attached to said carrier means, said ratchet assembly including a housing, a rack gear in said body means extending longitudinally thereof, pinion gear means rotatably mounted in said housing and in engagement with said rack gear, means for rotating said pinion gear, and means for locking said housing on said rack gear.

6. A writing aid comprising body means having a substantially flat writing surface thereon, carrier means mounted on said body means for longitudinal sliding movement thereon, track means carried by said carrier means, said track means extending across said writing surface substantially perpendicularly to the line of travel of said carrier means, guiding means on said track means for guiding a users hand and a writing implement across the Writing surface, a rack gear on said body means, said rack gear extending longitudinally along said body means, and moving means on said carrier means for moving said carrier means longitudinally along said rack means and down said writing surface in equally spaced steps, said moving means comprising gear means rotatably mounted on said carrier means, said gear means contacting said rack means, and means for rotating said gear means whereby said gear means and hence said carrier means will be moved longitudinaly along said rack gear.

7. A writing aid comprising body means having a substantially flat writing surface thereon, carrier means mounted on said body means for longitudinal sliding movement thereon, track means carried by said carrier means, said track means extending transversely across said writing surface and substantially perpendicularly to the line of travel of said carrier means, and holder means for writing implements mounted on said track means for longitudinal mdvement therealong, said holder means including a writing implement receiving and securing portion located laterally of said track for movement parallel thereto, leg means engaged with said portion and projecting therefrom toward said track means, and mounting means securing said leg means to said track means for the forementioned longitudinal movement of the holder means therealong, said leg means and said mounting means retaining said portion in an elevated position relative to the writing surface.

8. The combination of claim 7 including a generally fiat hand supporting surface overlying said track means and depending leg means on said supporting surface slidably engaging said track means, said hand supporting surface and depending leg means constituting a portion of said mounting means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,340,529 5/1920 Davison 3538 1,372,360 3/1921 McNeill 35-38 1,416,564 3/1922 Lowe 35-36 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. H. GRIEB, Examiner. 

